The Helena City Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. at the Civic Center to address Resolution 21-1062, formally titled 'Memorializing City of Helena Policy When Federal Immigration Enforcement Actions Are Present Within the City.' City Attorney Rebecca Doctor announced the meeting at the March 23 regular commission meeting.

The special meeting was prompted by a March 10, 2026 letter from Montana Attorney General Knudson, which set a 15-day deadline for the city to respond to concerns raised about the resolution. Outside counsel Tasha Jones, a Missoula attorney hired to advise the city, negotiated an extension from the Attorney General's office that pushed the original Wednesday deadline, giving the commission time to deliberate formally before issuing a response.

City Attorney Doctor declined to discuss the substance of the resolution at the March 23 meeting, deferring all comment to Thursday's session. The commission's options — which could include defending, amending, or rescinding the resolution — carry significant implications for Helena's relationship with state and potentially federal authorities over local immigration enforcement policy.

Helena Citizens Council Chair Ben Kyper told commissioners that the Council's regular Thursday meeting at 5:30 p.m. conflicts with the special meeting. The Council will keep its own meeting but expects lower attendance, and Kyper said individual representatives are free to attend the city's special meeting and submit public comment if they choose. The Citizens Council will not take an official position on the matter.